Cooker Door Proximity Control to Reduce False Automatic Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cookers with automatic door opening mechanisms often open unintentionally, leading to poor usability as they fail to differentiate between the user's intention to load or unload the cooking container, resulting in unnecessary door openings.
Innovation Solution
A cooker equipped with a proximity sensor that detects hand movements to control the door opening, requiring specific hand gestures within a predetermined time frame to intentionally open the door, thereby ensuring the door only opens when the user intends to do so.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic door opening mechanism using proximity sensor is implemented, then door opening convenience is improved, but false door opening occurs when user has no intention to open door
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit requires the proximity sensor to detect the object twice within a predetermined time period before triggering door opening. This periodic detection mechanism filters out accidental or unintentional detections, ensuring the door only opens when the user intentionally approaches with clear intent to load or unload the cooking container.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors proximity sensor signals and uses feedback logic to determine whether to open the door. By evaluating the timing and frequency of detected objects, the system adjusts its response to distinguish between intentional user actions and accidental proximity, thereby preventing false door openings while maintaining convenience.
2Extent of automation
If non-contact communication with cooking container is used, then door opens automatically when user approaches, but door opens even when user has no cooking container
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires repeated detection of the cooking container within a predetermined time period before activating the door opening mechanism. This periodic verification ensures that the door only opens when the user intentionally approaches with the cooking container, preventing automatic opening when the user has no container or is merely passing by.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses feedback from the proximity sensor to verify the presence and intent of the user. By monitoring whether the detected object matches the expected cooking container and evaluating the detection pattern over time, the system confirms intentional user action before opening the door, eliminating unintentional openings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances usability by ensuring the door only opens when the user intends to open it, reducing false openings and improving user experience by requiring intentional hand gestures for door operation.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity sensor 5 detecting presence or absence of an object in proximity to the heating cooker 101
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3~4(c)
AI summary
Provided is a cooker including a door which keeps from opening unless a user intends to open the door. A heating cooker opens a door if a low-level detection signal from a proximity sensor is received twice or more within a predetermined time period.